Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Vanity Fair special correspondent, victims rights activist and bestselling author: just three of the titles that could easily be hung on Dominick Dunne. Dunne died at home in Manhattan today. From the Vanity Fair Web site:

The cause of death was bladder cancer, said his son Griffin Dunne.

Dunne -- who joined Vanity Fair in 1984 as a contributing editor and was named special correspondent in 1993 -- famously covered the trials of O. J. Simpson, the Menendez brothers, Michael Skakel, William Kennedy Smith, and Phil Spector, as well as the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. He wrote memorable profiles on numerous personalities, among them Imelda Marcos, Robert Mapplethorpe, Elizabeth Taylor, Claus von Bülow, Adnan Khashoggi, and Warren Beatty and Annette Bening. His monthly column provided a glimpse inside high society, and captivated readers.

His first article for the magazine appeared in March 1984 -- an account of the trial of the man who murdered his daughter Dominique. Throughout his life, Dunne was a vocal advocate for victims’ rights.

The Vanity Fair piece is here. January Magazine’s 2001 interview with Dunne is here.

Oh, I’m most upset and sad as I have always loved his show “Dominick Dunne’s Power, Privilege and Justice” I always loved true crime tv and his documentaries always had that extra “je ne ce qua” ( I don’t know exactly what it was…) that made his shows more appealing and suspenseful and interesting to watch. My true condolences to his family and friends. Dominick, you will be missed!!!